First DAVID WEBER brought you The New York Times and USA Today bestsellers Off Armageddon Reef and By Schism Rent Asunder.
Now the battle for the soul of the planet Safehold has begun.
The Kingdom of Charis and the Kingdom of Chisholm have joined together, pledged to stand against the tyranny of a corrupt Church.The youthful Queen Sharleyan of Chisholm has wed King Cayleb of Charis, forging a single dynasty, a single empire, dedicated to the defense of human freedom. Crowned Empress of that empire, Sharleyan has found in Cayleb’s arms the love she never dared hope for in a “marriage of state.” In Cayleb’s cause, his defiance of the ruthless Group of Four who govern mother Church, she has found the task to which she can commit her mind and her courage. It is a cause for which she was born.
Yet there are things Sharleyan still does not know. Secrets Cayleb has not been permitted to share, even with her. Secrets like the true story of humanity on Safehold. Like the intricate web of lies, deception, and fabricated “religion” which have chained humanity for almost a thousand years. Like the existence of the genocidal alien Gbaba, waiting to complete mankind’s destruction should humans ever attract their attention once more. Like the existence of a young woman, Nimue Alban, nine hundred years dead, whose heart, mind, and memories live on within the android body of the warrior-monk she knows as Merlin.
And so Empress Sharleyan faces the the great challenge of her life unaware of all that task truly entails... or of how the secrets the man who loves her cannot share may threaten all they have achieved between them... and her own life.
The series
In the Safehold series, David Weber crafts a deeply immersive world where the stakes are high, and the weight of history is felt with every decision. Set on a distant planet that has been deliberately cut off from the rest of the universe, the series explores a world where technology has been frozen in time, and humanity is forced to rebuild from the ground up. This high-concept premise sets the stage for a gripping narrative about survival, faith, power, and the struggle to protect a fragile society from forces both internal and external.
Read full series description
At the heart of Safehold is the conflict between the ruling religious order, the Church of God Awaiting, and the rise of scientific and technological innovation. With society bound by an edict that prohibits any technological advancement beyond a certain point, the tension between progress and control drives the series forward. The story follows a variety of characters, from the military leaders and politicians who fight for control, to the religious figures who seek to maintain their hold on power, to the quiet rebels who see a world that must change to survive.
What sets Safehold apart from other science fiction series is its intricate world-building and the complex moral questions it raises. Weber doesn’t just create a backdrop for his characters; he builds a society where every law, tradition, and belief has been carefully designed to create a system of control. But as new technologies emerge and secrets from the past are uncovered, the world of Safehold becomes a battleground for those who want to change the course of history. The series is as much about the clash of ideas as it is about space battles and military strategy.
Weber’s meticulous attention to detail and his gift for developing multifaceted characters make Safehold a standout in the genre. His portrayal of a world on the brink of revolution is rich with political intrigue, philosophical debates, and high-stakes drama. Whether it's the military brilliance of its leaders or the quiet intelligence of those working behind the scenes, every character in Safehold is fighting for their vision of the future.
In a series that spans multiple books, Safehold invites readers to explore the complexities of a society caught between the past and the future, offering a thought-provoking exploration of what it means to break free from the constraints of tradition while questioning the cost of progress. It’s a compelling saga that mixes action, strategy, and philosophical depth in a way that will resonate long after the last page is turned.
#1 · 2007Off Armageddon Reef 
#2 · 2008By Schism Rent Asunder 
#3 · 2009By Heresies Distressed 
#4 · 2010A Mighty Fortress 
#5 · 2011How Firm a Foundation 
#6 · 2012Midst Toil and Tribulation 
#7 · 2014Like a Mighty Army 
#8 · 2015Hell's Foundations Quiver 
#9 · 2016At the Sign of Triumph 
#10 · 2019Through Fiery Trials 
#11 · TBASafehold Book 11 Be the first reviewer
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